Oklahoma SPJ Annual Awards

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Each year the Oklahoma SPJ Pro Chapter recognizes exceptional Oklahoma journalism at our annual awards banquet.   

Starting Jan. 14, 2019 the Oklahoma Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will be accepting contest entries via www.BetterBNC.com through March 8, 2019. 
Entry rates are as follows:

• Early bird rate (Entries submitted by February 15, 2019): $25
• Regular rate (Entries submitted between February 16 and March 8): $35
• Carter Bradley First Amendment Award: Free
• Teacher of the Year Award: Free
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Free

Once again this year, smaller newspapers have the option to "play up" with the larger circulation newspapers in any individual category for an additional $5 per entry. 

We are also retaining the "Best of the Best" categories that were implemented in 2017.  

Please note that we ask for all nomination letters and supporting documentation for our "Big Three" awards to be submitted either to spjcontest@gmail.com or via www.BetterBNC.com. 

Below are the categories that will be recognized. 

Information produced by an organization and disseminated to membership, sponsors, clients, or the media in an attempt to gain favorable editorial coverage or inform clientele about updates within the organization. Included in this category: newsletters, press releases, annual reports, and periodical publications. Media entered into the PR categories MAY NOT be entered into the magazine category. 

1. Newsletter: Submit three separate newsletters. Judging will be based on overall content, appearance and readability. 

2. Promotional Material: Submit one item. The category includes fliers, posters, special projects, brochures, advertisements, videos and photographs. 

3. Annual Report 

4. Press Release Writing: Submit one press release on a news item or feature story relating to any organization. Press releases promoting products are ineligible. 

5. General Writing: Any article appropriate for the target audience that does not fit in another category. Judges will consider quality of reporting and writing. 

6. PR Publication Cover: Submit one cover. Judges will consider unity of images and typography, art, design, overall impression for readers. 

7. Best PR Publication: Submit one publication. Entry will be judged on design, content, photography and overall excellence

8. General News: General reporting on any topic. 

9. Spot News: Reporting on an unanticipated news event that is produced and aired within 24 hours of the event. Report may be aired simultaneously with the event being covered within or outside of a regularly scheduled newscast. Includes breaking news of any kind. 

10. Sports Reporting: Any sports story or feature, including play-by-play. 

11. Feature: A single report included in a newscast that is considered to be a relief or contrast to news reporting. 

12. Investigative and Enterprise Reporting: Reporting of a community problem or issue requiring research and investigative journalism. 

13. Government and Criminal Justice Reporting: A program, report or series covering local, state or federal government issues, including but not limited to police affairs. 

14. Election Reporting: A report, series of reports or program on political candidates and/or issues. Limit series to three reports. 

15. Diversity Coverage: A report, series of reports or program that addresses personalities or issues relating to protected classes or minority status based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or age. 

16. Special Program: A single, self-contained report or program aired separately from a regularly scheduled newscast and is at least a half-hour program. 

17. Interview/Talk Show: Any topic. Limit entry to no more than one hour. 

18. Live Broadcast: A single program, special or series on any topic which is broadcast live or live-to-tape and consists of at least 70 percent live material. Time limit one (1) hour (up to 3 edits are allowed to bring longer programs to the time limit.). 

19. Best Newscast: Best overall radio newscast. Limit entry to no more than one hour.

20. General News: General reporting on any topic. 

21. Spot News: Reporting of a spontaneous occurrence from the scene. Includes breaking news of any kind and weather reports. 

22. Live Broadcast: A single program, special or series on any topic which is broadcast live or live-to-tape and consists of at least 70 percent live material. Time limit one (1) hour (up to three edits are allowed to bring longer programs to the time limit). 

23. Documentary: An in-depth report or program that is at least 30 minutes in length which focuses on one particular subject or issue. 

24. Special Program: A single, self-contained report or program which aired separately from a regularly scheduled newscast and is at least a half-hour program. 

25. Feature: A single report included in a newscast and considered a relief or contrast to news reporting. 

26. Investigative and In-depth Enterprise Reporting: Reporting of a community problem or issue requiring research and investigative journalism. Entry must be part of a regularly scheduled newscast or public affairs program. 

27. Sports Reporting: Report of a sporting event or sports topic. Limit play-by-play reports to 30 minutes or less. 

28. Consumer Reporting: A report or series of reports that exposes products or companies performing consumer disservice or that offers consumers news of new products or services. 

29. Criminal Justice and Government Reporting: A report, program or series covering local, state or federal government issues, including but not limited to police affairs and crime topics. 

30. Election Reporting: A report, series of reports or program on political candidates and/or issues. Limit series to three reports. 

31. Health Reporting: A report, program or series covering medical or health issues. 

32. Diversity Coverage: A report, series of reports or program that addresses personalities or issues relating to protected classes or minority status based on race, gender, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or age. 

33. Illustration/Graphic: Originally produced illustration or graphic by an individual. Include accompanying report. 

34. Video Editing: Submit one example. 

35. Videography: Submit one example. Judges will reward technical merit in the capturing of moving images on electronic media. 

36. Best Newscast: Submit one regularly scheduled newscast. Indicate broadcast times.

Open to all organizations. All entries must be in-house work. 

37. Online Writing: Content should be produced by a staff member and published only on the Web. 

38. Breaking News Coverage: Online coverage throughout the period of a breaking-news event. Provide screen-shots or URLs from the first hours after the event plus updates and additions. 

39. Election Coverage: An article, series of articles or project related to political candidates and/or issues. Limit series to three articles. 

40. Special Report/Enterprise: Reporting on a single subject. 

41. Blog: Blogs are defined as regular postings of commentary or opinion. Submit three postings. 

42. Multimedia: Any project that utilizes a combination of content platforms. 

43. Video Journalism: Entries should consist of online-originated video journalism crafted specifically for the Web, and may include a single story or up to three examples from a series on a single topic. Slideshows in a video format are not eligible. 

44. Slideshow: Journalism presented in slideshow format. 

45. Interactive Graphic or Resource: Journalism presented as an interactive chart, graphic, mobile application, unique database, site or other resource created for the public. 

46. Web Design: Submit Web site address. Judges will consider such factors as attractiveness, content placement, ease of use. 

47. Online Community Engagement: Submit website addresses for social engagement sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr), and/or email newsletters or campaigns. Judges will evaluate site layout and features, tone, quality of conversation and reader participation. 

48. Best Website: Entries will be judged on original content, design, creative use of technology, ease of navigation and originality. Submit the URL and a letter detailing how the site originated, how often it is updated, extent of interactivity and the number of visitors a day. Special features should be explained.